Hails Sathor! How are things going for you in Italy? Please tell the readers a little about yourself.
Hi, things are going let’s say ok so far if you are able not to be involved or being affected by the shitty Italian society and people, keep my music world for myself and that s enough I am not that kind of person that want to talk about myself or appear who is not.
I am quite fed up of lame "black metallers wanna be” that seems to hate the world and then every morning they wake up and lick others people asses as everyone else do....so speaking is always easier...
When did you all form Ars Macabra?
1999
How did you come up with the name of the band, does it have a special meaning?
The bass player did, it means Art of the Macabre from the Latin language.....
For the readers who have never heard the band how would you describe Ars Macabra music?Well.... see...we already use a media of communication that is already there and it is our music itself. Words on music are always unnecessary ...you listen..then all the rest will come from there.. But analyze too much is always irrelevant...
You recently sent me your newest release "Hate Induced Trance", how long did it take the band to write/record the songs for this release?
Almost a year, it was a little tedious at times but we took the time we need it...needless to say that you can spend all the time you want in the studio and never come out of there satisfied there is always a compromise first of all with the budget then we the patience and stress you build up during recording, in the end songs can lose all the natural feeling they had that you used to perceive when you were jamming..
Are you all happy with how they turned out?
Yes I am
I know Ars Macabra has some other releases availble. Can you please tell the readers a little about the other Ars Macabra releases?
We recorded "Daemonolatria Hypnotica” in 2004 and some copies should be available from the original label that printed it, Elegy Music.
Are these releases still availble for the fans?
They should.
Do you have any other merchandise available for the fans?
We had T-shirts but are sold out we plan to print some more eventually for the new release and when we will play live expecially and most of all cause are a compensation of our musical message, the t-shirt art is done by me and is not just a "fan” product , I can’t stand commercialization and/or excessive fetishism on gadgets or collectable items I think has not much to do with music but with compulsive attachment to objects which is quite stupid.
Has the band begun writing new material for a new release soon?
Yes we have quite a bit of songs and material
Do you know how many songs will be on the next release?
No I don’t think usually on numbers but we will put out what we consider the best
Do you have a release date set?
No yet
When the band begins working on new music how long does it take to usually take to complete a song?
Happened that I wrote a song in one afternoon and some of them are still some of the best we think are, some other months and sometimes they still miss something, so its music its not a factory with time schedules (thanks Satan!!! LOL)
Does the whole band work on music or does 1-2 members handle all the song writing?
I am the more productive but in the end we all contribute and shape the songs in all the arrangements that the most fun...
Who usually handles the lyrics for the band? What are some subjects you all write and sing about?
I write the lyrics, the subjects are mainly of the occult and magic related to khaos theory. Hopefully to just give some inputs on that field not certainly being pedant or too cryptic. When there is no reason to be.
Does the band play live very often or do you prefer to work in the studio only?We would do both steadily but playing live is not easy and is not well seen unless you are already a name that have some sort of appeal, there anymore interest in listening the music itself but go to the concert of that band cause that band "is” cult or has a relevant name on that scene but nobody anymore go to shows cause the music itself, I can notice and feel very uncomfortable going to shows especially metal in Italy by people comments etc. are really embarrassing sometimes they comment on the musician’s look or technique instead of enjoy the music or let their self go with the listening.... its ridiculous... or just lame as the worst commercial music.
Heavy metal music in its conception and attitude has never been so lame like nowadays, is a fact.
Who are some bands you have played with?
Oh I don’t care remember them now, some very good some others ok its interesting playing with all different kind
If you could set-up a "dream" show / tour who are some bands you would like to play with?
Whoever is relaxed and enjoy the event and it is taken not taken by its ego trip its playing its not a chance of showing off exaggeratedly....nervous and unsure kids are a drag.
The band comes out of the mighty Italian scene. What is your opinion of the metal scene in Italy?
Its good in the end but there is lack of cohesion, there are better bands than in the past but there is no collaboration and sane nationalism everything seems to be disconnected, Promoters, local promoters/labels etc still need to mature and acquire more professional skills
Not only on the technical side but also on the music taste side..... professional zines in Italy are a joke
Who are some of your all-time favorite italian bands you think the readers should check out?
Some bands from the hard core scene back in the 80s were very genuine and full of energy, Raw Power, Negazione on the metal side Bulldozer.
are there any new italian bands. I will recommend Grimness,Blasphemophagher, Stryx, Operation Genocide
Everyone has their own ideas on what black metal means so I was interested in your opinion what does black metal stand for?
I think has been said too much about it and express something verbal again or express my thought about it considering the average of who could approach black metal today make me keep my mouth shut....
Well Sathor we have reached the end of the interview. Thank you for taking the time to fill out the interview. Do you have any final comments for the readers?
For the moment thanks. You are doing a great job with your reviews and interviews, then everybody who is gonna dig our music is kool...
Interviewed by Patrick
December 2009